Every 20th of June, the world honours refugees across the globe. On this day, we honour the millions of people that are forced out of their homes due to war of any other crisis that affect their wellbeing.
Melling Pamela is a twenty-one-year-old South Sudanese currently residing in Kyebando Kisenyi zone in Kawempe Division, Kampala. Originally from Gurei located in Juba, South Sudan which is one of the many areas plagued by unemployment, poverty and lack of food with many children being treated for malnutrition, in 2009 during the war, Melling was picked up by an auntie who migrated with her to Kampala, Uganda leaving behind her parents and nine siblings.
Migrating to Uganda at seven years old changed her life as she was able to enrol for primary school education which she was unable to do back home to the ongoing crisis. Melling was able to attain an education up until 2021 when her guardian was unable to continue to pay for her school fees due to financial constraints brough about by the outbreak of COVID-19 pandemic. But this did not affect her determination towards a brighter future for herself and her family.
Melling is now pursuing a course in Hair dressing at AFFCAD Business and Vocational Institute (ABVI). “I chose the Hairdressing Course because I am passionate about it. I am planning on starting my own salon after completing my course and also becoming a prominent business woman,” She says with a smile, “I also plan on going back to Juba and supporting my siblings to also have bright futures like I am currently pursuing,”
Melling is one of the million of refugees around the world creating a better future for themselves despite the challenges of their past, they are still finding a raw of hope with their new beginnings.
